UAB Defeats UAH 83-58 in Final Non-Conference Game

Sunday, December 30

Bartow Arena

2 p.m.

UAB

12-1

UAH

4-6

UAH

UAB

UAH Athletics

UAB Defeats UAH 83-58 in Final Non-Conference Game

12/30/2018 4:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

BIRMINGHAM – The (RV) UAB women's basketball team closed its non-conference slate on a high note as the Blazers defeated UAH 83-58 on Sunday afternoon at Bartow Arena.

UAB wrapped up the non-conference portion of its schedule at 12-1, its best start in school history, and is a perfect 6-0 at Bartow Arena this season.

"I am really pleased with today's win," head coach Randy Norton said. "It is one those things where we gave our kids four days off to go home and be with their family for the holidays, so that first game back can be a little bit rough at times. But I thought our kids came back in the second half and played some really good basketball. UAH does a good job and has some good shooters and guards so from a coach's perspective that is a good first game back after break."

Rachael Childress paced the Blazers in scoring, finishing with 14 points on 4-of-10 made 3-pointers. The junior tallied her 53rd career double digit scoring game and ninth of the season.

Katelynn Thomas and Margaret Whitley also finished in double figures with 12 points each. For Whitley the 12 points matched the freshman's career high, while finishing with career best four made field goals.

As a team, UAB's bench outscored UAH 37-8, improving the Blazers to a perfect 9-0 this season when outscoring their opponent's bench. The Green and Gold also led in points in the paint (36-to-26), points off of turnovers (21-to-5) and fast break points (17-to-2).

UAH opened the game hot and on an 8-2 run on the back of four consecutive layups to take an early lead. A 3-pointer from Rachael Childress midway through the quarter cut UAB's deficit to three but the Chargers responded getting their lead back to four, 9-5, with 4:42 left in the first quarter. Trista Magee hit a triple with 1:16 remaining to give UAB its first lead of the game and sparked an 8-0 run for the Blazers to end the quarter as UAB led 18-12 after the opening 10 minutes.

UAB's run continued into the second quarter as Thomas hit a layup and Miyah Barnes connected on a triple to stretch the Blazers' lead out to 23-12. UAH once again battle back and hit a 3-pointer with 2:55 left in the half to cut UAB's lead to three, 33-30. Imani Johnson hit a jumper with 2:11 left followed by a free throw from Whitley with 1:30 remaining to give the Blazers a 36-30 lead to take into the locker room at halftime.

The Chargers came out of halftime and hit three of the first buckets of the third quarter as a triple from Holly Harris cut UAB's lead to 38-37. Angela Vendrell layed a shot in on the ensuing possession to begin a 22-0 UAB run that gave the Blazers a 65-44 lead going into the fourth quarter.

UAH began the fourth quarter on an 11-7 run to cut UAB's lead to 17, 72-55, with 5:33 remaining in the game but that would be as close as the Chargers would get as the Blazers closed the game on a 13-3 run over the final four minutes to secure the 83-58 win.

Aryn Sanders and Baylee Johnson led UAH with a game high 15 points. Katie Speegle also chipped in 11 points.

UAB returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 3 when it opens Conference USA play at Florida Atlantic. Tipoff between the Blazers and Owls is slated for 6 p.m. CST from Boca Raton, Fla.

Women's basketball season tickets are on sale by purchasing the 2018-19 Gold Card for $65. The Gold Card includes access to home baseball and softball games in addition to all nine of women's basketball's remaining home contests. Contact the UAB Ticket Office, (205) 975-UAB1, for more details.

For more information on the UAB women's basketball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WBB), on Instagram (UAB_WBBall) or like them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UABWBB).